Firefighter magazine, October November 2020
FBU puts Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue “on notice” to tackle racism in the service
• Statement on tackling racism welcomed, but “words are not enough”, the FBU says • Union pledges to hold service to account for “immediate, effective and fundamental change” Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service has agreed to take a “zero-tolerance” approach to racism and committed to dismantling...
A fighter of wars, fires and prejudice
October is Black History Month, a time in which people come together to celebrate the incredible contribution of people from the black community and to reflect on our shared history. These extracts from FBU history record the life of one notable black firefighter, George Arthur Roberts, a pioneering...
Black Lives Matter
Black Lives Matter has been raising awareness of the unacceptable treatment of black people. Born in the United States in response to endemic police brutality, it has attracted support across the globe including at home here in the UK. As representatives of the FBU’s black and ethnic minority...
I can't breathe
How many times have we had these chilling last words from innocent black victims? Desperately gasping for air, before dying at the hands of another. Perpetuated by the individuals and very institutions that are ‘sworn to protect’. For eight minutes and 46 seconds George Floyd and bystanders pleaded...
FBU condemns murder of George Floyd
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has spoken out about the atrocious killing of George Floyd, an unarmed black man, by white police officers in Minnesota, USA, which sparked anti-racism protests across the world. The FBU’s Black and Ethnic Minority Members (B&EMM) section said they were “appalled and...
Fire Brigades Union response to HMICFRS inspections Tranche 3
Responding to the third tranche of inspections from Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS), Matt Wrack, Fire Brigades Union (FBU) general secretary, said: On the national view “This tranche of reports is a complete indictment of the government’s dangerous...
Hate vs Hope: The threat of right wing nationalism
To mark Black History Month, Cameron Matthews, chair, black and ethnic minority members committee, explores the current context of right wing nationalism. “If you are silent in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.” Desmond Tutu. Across the globe we are seeing an...
